TRACE PRIORITY POLLUTANT PHENOLS ENRICHMENT FROM WATER BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

The efficiency of ion chromatography columns packed with styrene-divin ylbenzene copolymer containing quaternary ammonium groups to preconcen trate phenols at mu g l(-1) levels has been established. Retention is carried out in acidic medium based on non-polar interactions between t he column and phenols. Pure acetonitrile was used for one step elution . Enrichment factors of at least 100 times are achieved. Regeneration of the column can easily be accomplished with a mixture of 60 mM nitri c acid: methanol (1:99). Recoveries from a river water sample for nine priority pollutant phenols were in the range 92-105%. Other retained organic substances do not disturb liquid chromatographic determination of the phenols studied.